Pune student attacks teachers with sharp weapon after being asked to come with proper haircut

puneUpdated: Oct 07, 2017 10:10 IST

Shalaka Shinde Hindustan Times, Pune

Teacher Dhananjay Abnave in hospital after the attack.(HT Photo)

A Class 11 student, belonging to an upper caste Maratha community, allegedly attacked two of his teachers on Friday with a sharp weapon near Pune after he was asked to come to class with a proper haircut.

The student, who was booked under various Sections including the prevention of atrocity act, also passed some caste remarks against one teacher who reportedly belongs to a scheduled caste community.

According to district police, the two teachers, Dhananjay Abnave (33) and Darshan Chaudhary (30), sustained head injuries after Sunil Popat Bhor (18) attacked them with a sharp weapon on the college premises at Jogeshwari High School and College at Wagholi. Following the assault, Sunil fled the spot and is on the run.

Police officials said, the teacher reprimanded Sunil for his long hair and indiscipline in class. “An irked Sunil, who was asked to come to the school with a proper haircut, attacked the teacher and abused him by passing a caste slur,” said police sub-inspector Annasaheb Tapare.

According to Tapare, Chaudhary was standing on the stage of the school and watching the children walk to their classes while Abnave was standing near the stage.

“He approached me from behind and suddenly attacked me. He hit my head repeatedly and used the sickle on my chest as well,” Abnave told Hindustan Times.While Chaudhary teaches Commerce, Abnave is an Economics teacher.

Chaudhary, “When I saw Sunil attack the teacher, I ran towards Abnave sir and tried to separate them. However, the sickle landed on my head as well,” Chaudhary added.

“He had failed Class 11 last year. In the first three months of his second time in Class 11, his hair was long and he did not follow the discipline demanded by the college. We had held a parent teachers meeting and his parents were not present. On Wednesday, he brought one boy saying he was his brother. However, we asked him to bring his parents,” Chaudhary said.

According to Abnave, the headmaster called Sunil’s father on the phone after which he cut his hair, but wore a monkey cap to class. “I asked him to take off the cap inside the classroom which enraged him,” Abnave said.

The two teachers claimed that he had assaulted another student last year.Dr Sagar Khadilkar said, “There is a fracture in Abnave’s parietal bone and he has a 8-9 cm long injury on his head. He also has wounds on his body. He is in the ICU. We will observe him for the next 24 hours.”